Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 79

They are Watching You

You are being watched. The government has a secret system, a machine that spies on you every hour of every day.

These lines open the CBS Thursday night show “Person of Interest.”

I don’t know anything about a secret government machine, but you are being watched. Every hour of every day.

My grandson with my parents

People are watching your life. In good times, yes. But especially in bad. The quality of your faith response in the hard times of your life will impact them either positively or negatively for Christ.

This post is the 4th in a series about how we can purposefully pass down a spiritual legacy. (See previous posts: Intro, “3 Ways to Pass with Purpose,” & “4 Faith Steps for Hard Times.”)

Do you want to pass down a strong legacy of faith to the young people in your life? Then, stand firm on God through difficulties to prove faith in God works. Your testimony will encourage them to cling to God too.

4 steps to living a rock-solid faith:

Take your pain and questions to God – God is not afraid of your questions. Just glance through the Psalms (see Psalm 42:9-11). Over and over God’s people pour out their pain and frustration to their Creator. He is the One who can handle them! In the last post, we saw this demonstrated in Naomi’s life.
Praise God in the midst of the trials - One of my favorite passages is Habbakuk 3:17-19. The prophet Habbakuk found his reason to rejoice in God Himself and God’s promises for the future, not in his present circumstances. Even if our bank account is empty and we don’t know where our next meal is coming from, we can gain strength from God and trust in His provision. Praising Him in the midst of trials helps us focus on the One who is able to deliver us through all our hardships.
Live with an eternal perspective – God’s scope is much bigger than ours. We tend to be consumed with the here and now, but God is working out everything in eternity. Although God cares about every aspect of our physical circumstances, our spiritual condition is top priority. He often allows us to face physical difficulties to shape our character and conform us to Christ. If we allow Him to do His work through our trials, He will be glorified and our faith will be proved genuine to those watching.
Stand on God’s truth even when the circumstances don’t make sense – There will be times we won’t understand what God is doing. Situations when we have more questions than answers. But if we ensure our faith is in God and not in a specific outcome we will never be disappointed or disillusioned. The Object of our Faith is always faithful. Study God’s character and His ways. Then you will be able to stand firm on Him no matter what the circumstances bring.

Standing firm through trials proves our faith in God works to those who are watching us. There is no greater testimony to God’s love and faithfulness. Others will see what you have and want it for themselves.

Are you facing trials and difficulties now? Are you standing firm or wavering? Which of these 4 steps can you implement in your life today?

 

 

 

Created to be Creative

Craft time was always my favorite part of Vacation Bible School. Milk carton bird houses. Popsicle stick picture frames. Tissue paper stained glass windows. I fashioned all these works of art and more. It took only a bit of creativity and a lot of Elmer’s Glue.

As I grew, so did my love for “crafts.” I tried everything from sand art to hooked rugs to cross-stitch. Unfortunately, I only finished half the first rug, but cross-stitching actually stuck well into my thirties. I made several things for our first home and even gifted quite a few “masterpieces.”

After all three kids came along I traded needlework for scrapbooking. Crafting and preserving precious memories was the perfect creative outlet for me! My scrapbooking fervor lasted until God called me to seminary. School and study replaced scrapbooking. Now I craft through writing.

God showed His beautiful creativity in the Plumbago

The compulsion to creatively express oneself is common to all humans. Art in its various forms crosses all cultures and languages. Wherever we find people we find artistic expression.

Humans are creative beings by nature because the Creator made us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). When we create – when we freely demonstrate our artistic bent – we reflect the nature of God to the world. God’s divine stamp can be seen in our handiwork. And our God is definitely creative.   (Read the rest here)

This is only part of the post. You can read it in its entirety at SeasonsWithSoul.com. This post is part of a series on creativity, “Igniting Your Creative Passions for His Glory.” Thank you Elizabeth Ann for allowing me to be your guest today!

4 Faith Steps for Hard Times (Pass it Down!)

One primary reason young people give for turning away from faith is that it lacks relevance for their lives. They just don’t see what difference it makes. Why bother?

This is the third post in a series about leaving a legacy of faith. (See intro post and “3 Ways to Pass it Down with Purpose“.) We can pass down a spiritual legacy with purpose when we stand firm on our faith through hard times. When we do, the young people in our lives will see our faith works. That it makes a difference in the trials and difficulties of life. That faith holds relevance for their lives too.

Where did Ruth’s faith come from?

In the Bible, Naomi beautifully demonstrates this truth with her own life. Usually when we study the book of Ruth, we focus on the young Moabite’s declaration of faith to commit herself to Naomi and to Naomi’s God (Ruth 1:16-18). Yet, how often do we wonder what fostered such a great display of faith?

Naomi was Ruth’s faith example. Through hunger, a change in countries, the loss of a husband, and the loss of her sons Naomi demonstrated a faith worth having. A relevant faith. A faith that brought her through the trials to the other side.

That’s the kind of faith Ruth wanted. The kind that works for life.

4 Faith Steps for Hard Times

As I studied Naomi’s life, I noticed 4 ways she responded with faith in the midst of her trials. Naomi’s purposeful actions of faith no doubt impacted Ruth:

Naomi was honest about her pain (Ruth 1:20-21) – Naomi changed her own name from “lovely” to “bitter.” She left Israel “full,” but was returning “empty.” Believers it’s okay to admit we’re struggling! When we’re honest about our need, then we’re free to lean on Jesus!
Naomi acknowledged God’s sovereignty (Ruth 1:20-21) – Naomi never lost sight of the truth that no matter what came into her life God was still in control. Even if she didn’t understand the “why” she could truth the “Who.”
Naomi watched for God’s activity, prayed, and sought His help (Ruth 1:6-9) – Naomi had not given up despite the severity of her trials. She actively sought God’s help and watched for His response.
Naomi moved to where God was actively working (Ruth 1:6, 22) – As soon as Naomi learned of God’s provision for His people in Israel, she moved to where He was acting. She placed herself right in the middle of His activity.

Naomi demonstrated a rock solid faith in God in the midst of hardship. Her unwavering faith left a lasting impression on her daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth’s faith later joined with her husband Boaz. Then their cord of faith continued to run through their descendant David and on to Jesus.

This cord was woven in hardship. When one woman stood firm on her faith in God through the difficult times. Then the cord was passed and passed again.

What about you? How do you respond when trials and difficulties hit? How has your life demonstrated a rock-solid, relevant faith to those around you?

 

3 Ways to Pass Faith Down with Purpose

We are just one generation away from godlessness.

This sobering statement is unfortunately true. Last week we began a series on passing down a spiritual legacy. Today, we’ll see we must be purposeful in our efforts.

My father with my grandson

Consider the Israelites after they entered the Promised Land. For forty years, God showed Himself to His children in powerful and miraculous ways. He broke their bonds of slavery in Egypt, led them through the desert with His presence, provided for their every physical need, and gave them victory over their enemies in Canaan.

Yet, not long after the last battle was won and they had all settled down to enjoy homes they did not build and fields they did not plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-12), we read this sad statement:

 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel. Judges 2:10, NIV

In the following verses, we discover that this “godless” generation completely turned away from God. Instead of following the One who had saved them, they chose to serve and worship the false gods of the surrounding cultures.

How did this happen?! What did their parents do wrong?

Their parents didn’t do anything. That was the problem. The only thing needed for a new generation to turn away from God is for the previous one to do nothing.

Inaction invited godlessness

The parents failed to obey the command God gave them when they prepared to enter the Promised Land:

7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:7-9, NIV

Basically, God calls parents to purposefully integrate our faith in God into our family’s daily life. As we get ready for school and drive carpool and do homework and watch TV, we continuously refocus ourselves and our family on God.

3 Things Parents Can Do

Based on this passage, here are three ways we can purposefully pass down a legacy of faith:

Look for teachable moments – Use God’s Word to guide family decisions and choices in your children’s life. Pray with your children throughout the day for people and circumstances. Highlight God’s truth against what your family sees on television, movies, and in the world.
Share your own journey – There is something precious about faith handed down from generation to generation. It’s a cherished possession not easily tossed aside. Allow your children to witness the personal nature of your faith. Talk about what God is teaching you. Share your victories and struggles.
Tell your “remember when” stories – Tell your children about what God has done in your family, church, and community. We all have eyewitness accounts of God’s activity around us. Make sure your children know them!

What teachable moments has God given you recently? How did you make the most of them?

 

Building a Rock-Solid Legacy of Faith

Four generations of my family gathered this week at my parents’ home. My mom and dad longed to see their first great-grandchild, but cannot make the long highway drive to go to him. So, I traveled from Houston to Dallas, picked up my daughter Kelley and her one-year old Micah, and together we made the trip to Shreveport.

My mom, daughter, father, and grandson

It’s a little weird being in the middle of the generational line. I am that proverbial “sandwich.” On one side, I’m pressed by the bittersweet journey of watching my aging parents and all that comes with the process. On the other, stands the joyful excitement of walking with my daughter and son-in-law as they parent my first grandchild.

Cord of Faith

As I contemplate this inevitable life role, I am thankfully aware of an invisible, but strong, cord running both directions. From my parents through me to my daughter and beyond, flows a current of faith in Christ our Savior. It binds our hearts and lives together now and into eternity.

My mother and father’s commitment before my birth to obey God’s call to parents initiated this faith flow. They took God’s Word seriously.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV

My parents’ obedience not only pointed me toward a saving relationship with Christ, it also fostered a desire to continue this legacy of faith as my husband and I raised our own children. And now Kelley and Jeremy embrace the same responsibility with precious Micah.

Leave a Spiritual Legacy

In honor of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this post is the first in a series about building a legacy of faith in our families. For the rest of May, we will see what the Bible says on the topic and consider practical ways we can foster faith in Christ in the heart of our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and anyone else God has placed into our lives.  I’d love to have you along for the journey!

Did your parents work to pass down a legacy of faith to you? If so, what difference did it make in your life? Have you committed to passing along your faith to the next generation?

Having the Right Doesn’t Make it Right

They refused to sit down. Over the course of the first half of the football game several of the older fans around them politely asked the young couple to sit so they could see. But they ignored the requests.

They didn’t just hop up when something exciting happened. They stood continuously. Which would have been fine on the student side of the field. But alumni, parents, and grandparents filled this side. Many who could not physically stand for long periods of time.

Just before half time a university employee approached the standing pair.  Ah, someone had complained.

Will you please sit so others around you can see?

No. We have every right to stand if we want. We will not sit.

The employee shrugged and turned away.

I’d like to say the situation resolved with civility. Unfortunately, after the couple refused the employee’s request a few of the nearby fans got nasty. People tossed out rude comments. Still others approached them with less than polite demands to sit.

By the time the two football teams headed to the locker room for half time, tears ran down the young woman’s face and her husband looked like he could spit fire.

“Right” Isn’t Necessarily “Right”

Did they have the right to stand for the entire game? Yes. No law against it.

Was it right for them to stand for the entire game? Especially when they knew their actions inconvenienced or harmed others? No.

Graciously letting go of their right for the benefit of others would have been the right thing to do.

What does this have to do with us?

Believers regularly have a similar choice to make. Christ’s sacrifice has set us free from sin, death, and the Law. Our life in Christ grants us great liberty. God has freed us from legalism and guilt. Yet, many things we have the freedom to do may not be God’s best for us – or others around us – in a given situation.

Paul confronts this issue in his first letter to the Christians in Corinth. The specific situation involved eating meat sacrificed to idols. Because an idol of wood has no power, meat sacrificed to it benefits the body the same as other meat. A believer was “free” to eat. However, some believers had trouble with this truth. Seeing a mature believer eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols would have confused and misguided them.

God’s Glory and the Needs of Others

Paul clearly taught a believer’s “freedom” must take a backseat to the well-being of others.

Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others… So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31, NIV

When we make decisions regarding our freedom, God’s glory and the needs of others should always be our guiding principles. We may have the right to eat, drink, or act, but is it right? Will our choice glorify God? Will it benefit others?

Have you ever abused your freedom in Christ? What was the result? Have you ever willingly given up a freedom for the benefit of someone else? What was the result?

 

I’ve Been Contemplating Evil

Stories of incomprehensible evil saturate recent news. Savage murder, brutality, carnage, and violence roll through the headlines like a tsunami. Jodi Arias, the Boston Bombers, the Gosnell trial, and now Cleveland.

I am overwhelmed with the propensity for evil in the heart of mankind. My mind has been spinning with questions. How can a human being, an individual created in the image of God, snip the spinal cord of a living child and sleep at night? How can a man chain a teenage girl in a basement to use and abuse her for a decade? And where is God while it’s happening?

Yesterday, my daily Bible reading took me to Genesis 6. The text records that in the days of Noah, “man’s wickedness on the earth” was great and “every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5). The earth was “corrupt in God’s sight and full of violence… for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways” (Genesis 6:11-12). Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

The condition of the world in Genesis 6 mirrors our world today. Evil multiples. Like yeast in dough, it feeds and breeds and grows. Expanding its reach, touching more places, infecting more lives, wreaking untold havoc.

Noah’s story initiated a search of Scripture to see what God says about evil. I did not get all my questions answered. However, God did ground me once again in His truth through the time in His Word.

Maybe you’ve been having similar thoughts and questions. I hope this small recounting of what God’s Word says about evil will encourage and strengthen you.

The Source and Result of Evil

God does not delight in evil. (1 Corinthians 13:6)
Evil originates in the heart of sinful man, not with God. (Genesis 6:12, James 1:13-14)
Without God, we are slaves to sin and evil, separated from God. (Colossians 1:21, Romans 6:6)
By our sinful nature, people turn away from God’s righteous light so their evil deeds are not exposed (John 3:19-20).
Rejection of God is a slippery slope that plunges sinful people deeper and deeper into evil and depravity. (Romans 1:21-32)

Rescue from Evil

Because God loves us, He sent Jesus to save us from evil and condemnation (John 3:16-17).
Jesus came to rescue us from slavery to evil (Galatians 1:4) and reconcile us to God (Colossians 1:22).

God Will Judge Evil

God will judge evil. His Word is clear. (Malachi 4:1, 2 Peter 3:3-13, Romans 2:9-10, Matthew 25:41-46)
He delays because He is patient and merciful, wanting people to repent. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

What Believers Should Do in the Meantime

Do not repay evil with evil (1 Peter 3:9).
Do not conform to the world’s evil or give in to our own evil desires (1 Peter 1:14).
Turn from evil and do good (1 Peter 3:11).
Live holy lives “to speed Christ’s coming” (2 Peter 3:11)

Believers are Protected

Evil cannot spiritually harm believers (Matthew 10:28, 1 John 5:18-19).
Evil’s actions may impact us physically, but we are spiritually and eternally protected by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:5, Ephesians 1:13-14).

Today’s world is full of examples of what happens when evil is left unchecked, when fleshly, sinful desires are given free reign. The topic of evil raises many questions. But there is only one answer. And His name is Jesus.

Did God’s Word encourage you today? What truth impacted you most and why?

For Anyone Expecting or Who Expects to be Expecting

Before you ask – I’m not expecting a baby and don’t expect to be. But, I have “been there and done that” three times. I’m sure I even had some corny t-shirt with something like “Baby on Board” scrawled across the front.

However, many of you are expecting or know someone who is. Whether it’s your first, second, or fifth, big changes are ahead. It’s really impossible to fully know what to expect. That’s why I’ve invited my wise friend Julie Sanders to visit with us today about her brand new book “Expectant: 40 Devotions for New and Expectant Moms.”

Julie’s first baby has grown up and gone off to college and the second is close behind. Having a baby looked different than she expected, but the motherhood journey has exceeded all she imagined. As a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher, and women’s ministry leader, Julie enjoys walking the path of motherhood with moms in all seasons.

Julie, how is motherhood different than you expected?

I knew I would love our children, but I never imagined how much I would enjoy our children. Every season has been amazing, but moving through the changes of childhood, along with the accidents and surprises, has kept me prayerful. Being a mom is great for your prayer life!

Being a mom has stretched me more personally than I ever expected. God uses motherhood to expose my weaknesses, my failures, and my sin. While I’ve been watching our kids grow, God has been growing my heart and life.

What was most difficult for you during the “young years?”  How did you grow as a mother?

When I delivered our first baby, nothing happened the way we anticipated. I was left with fear and disappointment, and it took a long time for me to feel whole again. Feeling fragile was not only hard, it wasn’t what I expected.

I always wanted to have children, but I also loved being a teacher. Making a transition to spending the day with the baby at home was not as easy as I thought it would be, and before long I found myself overcommitted and worn out. I was challenged to take a close look at where I found my identity and where I placed my trust. Motherhood turned out to be as much about growing me as growing our children.

Your website is called Come have a Peace. How do you find peace as a mother?

God means for us to live out our days experiencing His peace in the practical, real life, relational stuff. For a mom, it seems impossible sometimes, but we don’t have to live in discouragement. God desire to fill us with peace, and Jesus said we find it in Him, (John 16:33). Mamas need that message all day, every day, and often through the night.

God has used major transitions, distance from family, and multiple crises in our lives to show me my “peaceful mom’s heart” does not depend on my circumstances. I’ve become a “pray all day” kinda mom who cries out often and openly to the only perfect Parent we know, God Himself. I’ve learned to give myself a lot of grace, not expect perfection, and to refuse to compare myself to moms around me.  And I give our kids a lot of grace, trying to keep the “big picture” in mind as God unfolds His plans for them.

In Expectant, Julie honestly shares her heart, her own experiences, and the truth of God’s Word to encourage young women as they enter into motherhood. The devotions are organized into sections about you, other grown-ups, the baby, and your new normal. Each one includes words from scripture to grow your heart, as well as questions to get the conversation started with a friend, mentor, or dad-to-be. It’s formatted so that it would be easy to do with a partner or small group of moms.

Connect with Julie at her website Come Have a Peace, where she offers peace for your days by sharing God’s truth for the things of life, marriage, and motherhood. As you grow your family, she will help you grow your Expectant heart on the journey of motherhood.

Find Julie on Twitter at @JulieSanders_ and join in the conversations about EXPECTANT on Facebook. Purchase the Kindle version now!

At the Risk of Sounding Intolerant

If I wanted to drive from my home in Houston to Midland, out in west Texas, where I used to live, I’d have lots of options. There’s really no one best way to go. I could head west on I-10 through San Antonio before cutting north. Or I could head due north out of Houston all the way to Dallas on I-45 before taking I-20 west all the way to Midland.

And that’s just the interstate routes. The secondary highways offer endless options. Every member of my family could choose a different way to travel and we’d all end up in Midland within a few hours of each other. Different paths, same destination.

True if you want to get from Houston to Midland. Not so true if you want to get to God.

The Lie of Religious Pluralism

Unfortunately, the world embraces “religious pluralism.” This lie teaches that all paths lead to God, that all religions are equally valid ways to approach Him, and that no one religion has the monopoly on truth.

It all sounds very inclusive, very tolerant, very accepting.

There’s just one problem with this philosophy. God doesn’t agree.

Just because people want something to be true or whole-heartedly believe it to be true, does not make it true. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).

The Narrow Truth of God’s Word

Only the One who is Truth can determine truth. Here’s just a sample of what God says is true:

There is only one way. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
There is only one name. Salvation is found in on one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
There is only one source of eternal life. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

All paths do not lead to God.

This is not my opinion. This is not simply my version of truth.

This is God’s declared truth. God’s rules. And He has every right to make the rules.

Christians who hold firm to God’s declared truth are labeled as intolerant, narrow-minded, radical, and backward.

Side with Truth

Oh believer, do not yield to the pressure of our society to conform to the lie of religious tolerance. Do not hold your tongue while people around you are dying without hope.

God asks us to share His truth. Pronounce the hope that’s in Christ alone. Share the message of life with a dying world. And so we must.

Have you ever been ridiculed for declaring God’s truth? Have you ever yielded to the “wisdom” of the world and compromised God’s truth?

For more thorough information about this topic check out these great posts:

“Do All Roads Lead to God?” by Greg Laurie
“Can all Paths Lead to God?” by Gordon Watson
“Do All Roads Lead to God? The Christian Attitude Toward Non-Christian Religions  by Rick Rood

 

A Giveaway for Mother’s Day

The approach of Mother’s Day reminds me of one of my favorite childhood memories.  Many years I got to stand at the front on the church with 5 other children and hold a big sign displaying a single capital letter. Sometimes I even got to make my letter sign with Elmer’s Glue and a bottle of gold glitter. And as we held our signs high, we sang:

M is for the many things she gave me.

O means only that she’s growing old.

T is for the tears she shed to save me.

H is for her heart of purest gold.

E is for her eyes with love light shining.

R means right and right she’ll always be.

Put them all together they spell Mother, a word that means the world to me.

Those messy signs and that song were a child’s tribute to her mother on her special day. Our moms deserve the attention and the thanks.

In honor of Mother’s Day 2013, I’m giving away a copy of “God is My Refuge.” This 12-week devotional book encourages women with God’s Word on topics like grief, need, illness, fear, broken relationships, and more. (Learn more about it here.)

For a chance to win it for a mom in your life – or for yourself – simply leave a comment below. Tell us why you’d like to win or share a memory of your mom or just say “hi!” You can multiply your entries by sharing this post on Facebook or Twitter. Just leave another comment that you shared it.

The contest closes Wednesday at 10 am. As soon as I can get the winner’s mailing address I will drop the book in the mail. Hopefully to arrive before Mother’s Day!

Let the comment entries begin!